\Mon"strous\, a. [OE. monstruous, F. monstrueux, fr.
L. monstruosus, fr. monstrum. See {Monster}.]
1. Marvelous; strange. [Obs.]
2. Having the qualities of a monster; deviating greatly from
the natural form or character; abnormal; as, a monstrous
birth. --Locke.
He, therefore, that refuses to do good to them whom
he is bound to love . . . is unnatural and monstrous
in his affections. --Jer. Taylor.
3. Extraordinary in a way to excite wonder, dislike,
apprehension, etc.; -- said of size, appearance, color,
sound, etc.; as, a monstrous height; a monstrous ox; a
monstrous story.
4. Extraordinary on account of ugliness, viciousness, or
wickedness; hateful; horrible; dreadful.
So bad a death argues a monstrous life. --Shak.
5. Abounding in monsters. [R.]
Where thou, perhaps, under the whelming tide
Visitest the bottom of the monstrous world.
--Milton.

\Mon"strous\, adv.
Exceedingly; very; very much. ``A monstrous thick oil on the
top.'' --Bacon.
And will be monstrous witty on the poor. --Dryden.